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D 19C Documentation

AKG Acoustics D 19C

Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

The D19 was a cardioid dynamic microphone manufactured by AKG in the 1960s. It is famous today for its use at Abbey Road studios during numerous Beatles recording sessions, most notably as a drum overhead mic for Ringo Starr.

Multiple variations of the microphone were manufactured by AKG. At least two grille designs were used. Output connectors varied as well. Further, the D19 was branded by multiple distributors, most notably Telefunken.

The product literature identifies two distinct models of the D19, with the primary difference being the output impedance of the microphone:

Model

Length

Connector

Impedance

D 19 C

152mm

3-pin Tuchel

200Ω

D 19 E

182mm

5-pin XLR

60Ω

200Ω

50,000Ω

(adjustable)

Both versions of the D19 had a mechanical high-pass filter, described in product literature as follows:

AKG

A continuous bass attenuator should cover a range from 0 to -10dB at 50Hz and should be easily controlled by an adjusting ring located on the neck of the microphone.

The published frequency-response graph shows a nominally flat response from 70Hz–1500Hz, with a broad presence peak of +4dB from 3kHz–10kHz.

The mic’s Cardioid pickup pattern is relatively consistent below 1kHZ, with a -10dB drop in sensitivity at 90° below 250Hz. It is worth noting that although most microphones tend towards omnidirectionality at low frequencies, the D19 instead becomes more directional.